Who's the Boss Now

Her cell phone rang as she approached the office, and after seeing that it was her father, she parked and pressed the speaker phone button.

"Dad?"

"Hi, pumpkin. I figured I needed to call, though I'm not really even sure what to say. I assume your mother called you?"

"Yes. She called yesterday." Jamie slowly released the breath she was holding. She was much closer to her father than her mother. Then again, who wouldn't be? Her dad was the only one in their house that ever gave her positive feedback or seemed to care about her feelings.

"I should have called last week. I just... I don't know."

"It's okay, Dad. Where are you now?"

"I'm at work."

"No, where are you staying? I assume you left the house?"

"Yeah. I'm staying with your uncle, Billy. He's got a guest room that Martha was using for her crafts. They’ve two dogs, which you know tear my allergies up. I'll be looking for a place this week." His tone was neither sad, nor happy. It was a type of numbness that lead to resolution.

Jamie had been there many times herself. "You can come stay with me if you need to."

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm good. I’m not going to burden my kids. I just wanted to let you know that there isn't another woman, nor has there ever been. Your mother and I just don't see eye to eye at all anymore. I'm tired. So tired, Jamie."

"I know, Daddy." Her eyes filled with tears over the weariness that begun to slip into his voice. She knew that type of tired.

"Never stay with someone who doesn't appreciate you, who doesn't cherish you just the way you are. You're a great woman and you deserve only the best. I should’ve told you that a long time ago."

"Thanks, Dad." She sniffled. "So this is it? No chance of you guys getting back together?"

"Not in my mind, but you never know. I think separating for a while will be good for us no matter what the future holds. Your mother's nitpicking has moved from cute to annoying to downright dreadful. I'm done walking out of every conversation with her and being nothing but bones. She picks the flesh and meat right off me. Best weight-loss plan I know." He laughed, but the sound fell flat.

"I love you. I'm here if you need me."

"Same here, kiddo. We'll do lunch soon. Okay?"

"Alright." Jamie hung up and leaned her head back, forcing herself not to cry. She had a lot on her plate, but it would seem her mom and dad had more.

After a few minutes of breathing in deeply and calming herself, she got out of the car and walked into the office. A stop by the kitchenette had her grabbing a large cup of coffee and snagging a donut from the unholy large box of them.

She hadn't had anything that sugary sweet in months, except for maybe the ice cream and vodka. However, the occasional called for something to help her take her mind off of it. Food always worked well.

Alex walked out of his office and down the hall, stopping in front of her as she glanced up.

"Oh, Hi, Mr. Reid." Jamie lifted the donut. "Someone brought breakfast in the kitchenette."

"You don't need that sugary shit, Jamie. It’ll make your stomach hurt worse. Go chunk it and get yourself a yogurt or a banana." The concern on his face was apparent, but his words drove remembrance into her. How many times had her mother forced her to forgo a simply delicious treat because she was too fat to indulge... even a little.

"Right," she whispered and walked into her office, closing the door behind her and jumping as someone spoke.

"Eat the donut. Eat two if it’ll make you feel better." Paul grinned as he stood in the middle of the room.

"Oh, damn. You scared me." She chuckled and took a bit bite of the treat. "I plan on eating it. I'll eat the whole box if I please." She glanced at the door connected her office to Alex’s. It was closed.

"There you go. Tell them whose boss." He laughed and turned back to setting up his laptop.

Her office was big enough to hold another temporary desk beside his if they wanted, which meant there was plenty of space for the two of them.

The door opened behind her and Gina smiled. "I'm going to leave this door open if you're okay. Mr. Reid has some weird policy about having the door opened when two people room together."

Jamie lifted her eyebrow at her friend. "When did that start? I've never heard of it."

"About three minutes ago." Gina shook her head, winked and walked out.

"Interesting," Paul mumbled, but continued to focus on his computer.

She probably needed to have that 'good suitemate' conversation with Paul, but she wasn’t in the mood right now. She would look like the crappy roommate if she popped in to tell him to not chat her ear off when she was working.